Castro vows big money won't change him

Cubs shortstop thanks Soriano for setting example of consistently working hard to improve

September 13, 2012|By Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune reporter

Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro plays catch on the field before the game against the Pirates. (Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE )

The Cubs often pointed to Carlos Zambrano's $91 million contract extension in August 2007 as the beginning of a marked change in his clubhouse and on-field demeanor.

Zambrano began thinking of himself as the superstar nicknamed "Big Z," more than one player said, rather than the once-affable pitcher who earned that deal through hard work and talent.

As one former Cubs official often pointed out, they don't include instruction manuals when they hand out megabucks contracts, so it's up to the individual to understand the responsibilities that go along with suddenly being rich beyond your wildest dreams.

Starlin Castro, who signed a seven-year, $60 million deal last month with a $16 million option, heard the same whispers about Zambrano as everyone else.

"I know that," he said. "But that's not me."

So we shouldn't be worried that money will change the Cubs' shortstop?

"No, I'm pretty sure," he said. "It's the same as (Alfonso) Soriano. Look at him. He has a lot of money, too, but he hasn't changed."

It has been a whirlwind year for the 22-year-old Castro.

He was shielded from the media during the Cubs Convention in January as authorities investigated an allegation of sexual abuse against him in which no charges were filed.

In June, he was castigated on talk-radio and the Internet for forgetting how many outs there were during a game in San Francisco.

Eventually, the new management selected him as a cornerstone of its rebuilding effort, as the long-term deal before he became arbitration-eligible signifies.

Last week in Pittsburgh, Castro became the 28th player in history to accumulate 500 hits before turning 23, joining an elite group that includes Alex Rodriguez, Ty Cobb, Ted Williams, Hanks Aaron, Al Kaline, Jimmie Foxx and Mickey Mantle. He's the youngest player to accomplish the feat since Robin Yount did it at 21 years, 297 days in 1977.

The difference is none of those players, except Rodriguez, were able to cash in at 22. They never had to worry about losing their hunger because they were set for life, a problem that has befallen many pro athletes.

Castro doesn't fret about that, and credits Soriano for keeping him grounded.

"He has helped me big-time," he said. "He's one of the guys I say thank you to for everything. He taught me how to be a big leaguer, how to be the same when the team is good or if the team is bad. He's always saying something to keep me positive."

Castro won't finish at .300 for the first time in his three seasons, but he already has set career highs in home runs (12) and RBIs (71) while playing in all 143 games. The only thing lacking in his game is the ability to maintain focus consistently, which is partly to blame for some of the shortstop's league-leading 24 errors.

After Castro made an unforced throwing error against the Pirates on Saturday while Jeff Samardzija was going for his first career complete game, Samardzija went over to tell him to shake it off.

"When he's into the game there are not too many guys out there better," Samardzija said afterward. "We depend a lot on him, and we're going to need him for many years down the road.

"He's learning with all of us. He's going to make plays for you more often than not, so you just stay with him."

The Cubs plan to market Castro, Anthony Rizzo and Samardzija as key rebuilding blocks, hoping their personalities and potential will sell tickets through the struggles ahead.

It's a responsibility Castro does not take lightly, knowing everything he does now will be scrutinized through the lens of his $60 million contract.

"Yeah, I'm the face of the franchise," he said. "But I'm not going to stop playing hard or stop working hard. I know the money will be there for me and my family, and will make a better life for us.

"When you have everything, the money and all that, you don't take anything for granted. You know that you have everything because of baseball. I'm not going to get lazy because of (the money). That's why every day I play harder and harder and harder."